Federal officials are trying to fly back the bodies of Americans who were reportedly killed in Syria, the U.S. State Department said Wednesday.
“We have been working to help facilitate the return of the remains of private U.S. citizens reported killed in Syria,” State Department spokesman John Kirby said in a statement. “We remain in close contact with local authorities and stand ready to provide all appropriate consular assistance.”
The Kurdish news agency Rudaw named the Americans as Jordan MacTaggart, William Savage, and Levi Jonathan Shirley, and published their photos. The agency said the men were among hundreds killed in the battle to recapture Mambij from ISIS, citing Shawkat Berbahari, a manager of the Pishkhabour border-crossing with Syria.
The State Department could not confirm the number of Americans killed or how they were killed.
More Must-Reads from TIME
- How Donald Trump Won
- The Best Inventions of 2024
- Why Sleep Is the Key to Living Longer
- Robert Zemeckis Just Wants to Move You
- How to Break 8 Toxic Communication Habits
- Nicola Coughlan Bet on Herself—And Won
- Why Vinegar Is So Good for You
- Meet TIME's Newest Class of Next Generation Leaders
Contact us at letters@time.com